03/09/2026
Women's Month: Karen Snyman - Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator
Throughout , Nelson Mandela University celebrated the dynamic women shaping our institution and society. From research and creative arts to activism, academics, community engagement, and leadership, we are honouring their contributions and sharing their remarkable journeys.
We end our series with the remarkable Karen Snyman also fondly known as Mam’K. Karen is the Specialist: Student Entrepreneurship at Nelson Mandela University, dedicated to creating opportunities that empower students to develop and scale their business ventures. In her role, she was instrumental in establishing the SEDFA Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator—launched in 2025—and serves as the Program Manager for the UCDP-funded Student Employability & Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) Program, alongside contributing to policy that enables student-led businesses to operate on campus. Her foundational experience includes 14 years at Port Elizabeth TVET College as Senior Lecturer in Communication, Governing Council Secretary, and National Examiner, as well as setting up and managing a nationally recognized NSFAS office and pioneering the Eastern Cape's first Intercollege Entrepreneurship Competition.
Holding Honours degrees in Education and Corporate Communication, Karen's career highlights include serving as National Chairperson of the EDHE Community of Practice for Student Entrepreneurship, founding South Africa’s first Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP) chapters, and receiving both the Enactus Administrator of the Year Award (2014) and two Nelson Mandela University Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards (2019 & 2021).
Driven by Nelson Mandela’s belief that "it always seems impossible until it is done," she remains deeply committed to advancing supportive entrepreneurial ecosystems, capacity building, and women’s economic empowerment through hard work, passion, and perseverance.
